Fernando Tatis Jr. turned reactions into highlights in win over the Mets

Fernando Tatis Jr. had an incredible game on Tuesday night as the San Diego Padres beat the New York Mets 5-2. Tatis homered twice and robbed a grand slam from Francisco Lindor, completely swinging the game in the process.

Tatis started as early as possible by hitting Zac Thornton’s first pitch of the game into the second deck. There was no doubt about it as A.J. Ewing kind of turned and watched it sail over his head, and the Padres took a 1-0 lead.

In the second inning the Mets were threatening with two outs and the bases loaded. That’s when Lindor hit it hard towards the fence in right. Tatis perfectly timed his jump and robbed Lindor. When Tatis landed his hat flew off and most of the fans at Citi Field thought they had just seen a grand slam. Tatis stood there for a moment before he flipped the ball from his glove into his bare hand. The only way to accurately describe this scene is “awesome.”

Despite all those broadcast angles, the best video may have actually come from an upper deck seat behind home plate. First of all, the camera work here is really impressive. Second, the sound of fans groaning as they realize what really happened is tremendous.

Every clip of the catch and the reveal are tremendous, but it’s also worth looking at the reactions of the Padres. While the dugout went wild, starting pitcher Robbie Ray looked like a child. Happiness. Relief. Glove on his head. Hands in the air. Tatis did something so cool that the reactions of his teammates and the fans became highlights on their own.

<

Aug 18, 2026; New York City, New York, USA; San Diego Padres starting pitcher Robbie Ray (38) reacts after a catch by right fielder Fernando Tatis Jr. (not pictured) robs New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor (not pictured) of a grand slam during the second inning at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)

If Tatis hadn’t made that spectacular play, Ray and the Padres would have trailed 4-1 in the second inning and he would have been staring down a loss. Instead, he went six innings and only gave up one run before exiting the game in position to earn his first win as a member of the Padres.

Of course, then Tatis stepped back up to the plate in the fifth and hit another home run to put the Padres up 3-0.

That’s a total of seven runs either given or taken away by Tatis in the game. That’s an incredible amount of influence to have over a final score. And to do it while looking that cool is even more impressive.